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Diagram of the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Meridian

The meridian pathway of the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium (Pericardium) runs from the brain to the axilla, and from the axilla to the hand. This meridian is characterized by abundant blood and scarce Qi. It originates at Tianchi (PC1) and terminates at Zhongchong (PC9), comprising nine acupoints on each side, totaling eighteen acupoints bilaterally. The Pericardium is also known as the "Heart Master" (Shou Xin Zhu). According to Zang-Fu theory, it is located above the transverse diaphragm and below the firm membrane beneath the heart, adhering to the transverse diaphragm and enveloped by yellow adipose tissue, which constitutes the Heart; outside this yellow fat, fine fibrous membranes like silk connect to the Heart and Lungs, constituting the Pericardium. One may ask: Why is the Hand-Jueyin meridian referred to as both "Heart Master" and "Pericardium"? The answer is: The Ministerial Fire (Xiang Huo) operates by position, while the Sovereign Fire (Jun Huo) manifests by name. The Hand-Jueyin meridian acts on behalf of the Sovereign to execute major functions; thus, in terms of functional utility, it is called the "Heart Master"; in terms of meridian nomenclature, it is called the "Pericardium." Although this is one meridian with two names, it essentially refers to the Ministerial Fire.

The Heart Master and Pericardium belong to the Hand-Jueyin [Meridian]. Like silk or chopstick-shaped membranes, they connect to the Lung and Heart vessels. Originating from the center of the chest, the Pericardium meets below the diaphragm, traversing the Sanjiao (Triple Burner) and stopping below the umbilicus.
*Classic of Spirituality (Lingshu)*, Chapter 10 states: The vessel of the Hand-Jueyin originates in the chest, emerges to connect with the Pericardium, descends through the diaphragm, and successively connects with the Sanjiao. ○ Mr. Hua (Hua Shou) stated: The Hand-Jueyin receives the intersection of the Foot-Shaoyin, originating in the chest, emerging to connect with the Pericardium, then descending through the diaphragm to successively connect with the upper, middle, and lower Jiao (specifically the Shangwan, Zhongwan, and one cun below the umbilicus).

Its branch leaves the Pericardium, moves laterally along the chest, passing one cun posterior to the nipple at Tianchi (PC1), travels between the ribs, passes through Tianquan (PC2) in the axilla, proceeds anteriorly along the elbow to Quze (PC3), which is located in the depression of the cubital crease.
*Lingshu*, Chapter 10 states: Its branch follows the chest, emerges from the hypochondrium, descends three cun into the axilla, ascends to reach the axilla, then descends along the medial aspect of the arm, running between the Taiyin and Shaoyin meridians, entering the elbow. ○ Mr. Hua stated: The upper boundary of the hypochondrium is the axilla, belonging to the Pericardium meridian. Ascending along the chest and emerging from the hypochondrium, it descends three cun into the axilla to Tianchi (PC1), ascends to reach the axilla, then descends along the medial arm to Tianquan (PC2), situated between the Taiyin and Shaoyin meridians, entering Quze (PC3) in the elbow.

Tianchi (PC1): Located one cun posterior to the nipple and three cun from the axilla, attached to the rib cage, directly opposite the axillary fossa, in the intercostal space when the ribs are elevated. It is an intersection point of the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian.
Tianquan (PC2): Located two cun below the apex of the axilla (quye), taken with the arm raised.
Quze (PC3): Located in the depression inferior to the medial epicondyle of the humerus, taken with the elbow flexed.

Descending straight down the forearm between the two tendons, passing Ximen (PC4), Jianshi (PC5), Neiguan (PC6), reaching Dalings (PC7), coming from the palm is Laogong (PC8), and only Zhongchong (PC9) is at the tip of the middle finger.
*Lingshu*, Chapter 10 states: Descending the arm, it runs between the two tendons, enters the palm, and follows the index finger to its tip. ○ Mr. Hua stated: From the elbow, descending the arm between the two tendons, it follows the path of Ximen (PC4), Jianshi (PC5), Neiguan (PC6), Dalings (PC7), enters the palm at Laogong (PC8), follows the index finger to its tip at Zhongchong (PC9).

Ximen (PC4): Located one cun proximal to the wrist crease, within the Hand-Jueyin meridian.
Jianshi (PC5): Located three cun proximal to the wrist crease, in the depression between the two tendons.
Neiguan (PC6): Located two cun proximal to the wrist crease. Alternatively, place three fingers of the patient horizontally across the wrist; the point is located in the depression between the two tendons, directly below the tip of the middle finger.
Dalings (PC7): Located in the depression between the two tendons at the wrist crease.
Laogong (PC8): Located in the center of the palm where the artery pulses, taken with the ring finger flexed. It is described in the text as a Luo-connecting point of the Shaoyang (Note: Standard TCM classifies Laogong as the Ying-Spring point of the Pericardium meridian; the text's claim regarding Shaoyang connection is translated literally).
Zhongchong (PC9): Located at the tip of the middle finger of the hand, approximately the width of a leek leaf from the nail corner.

Its branch originates from Laogong, exits the palm, follows the index finger (second finger) to its tip, and intersects with the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian.
*Lingshu*, Chapter 10 states: Its branch from the palm follows between the little finger and the index finger to its tip. ○ Mr. Hua stated: The finger next to the little finger is the ring finger; counting backwards from the little finger, the second finger is the index finger. The so-called branch diverges from Laogong in the palm, follows between the little and index fingers to its tip, and intersects with the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian.

General Song:
Where does the Qi from the chest flow? Starting from the Pericardium, it corresponds to the Sanjiao. It injects into Zhongchong and reaches the indicator finger.

Commentary: The vessel of the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium originates in the chest and terminates at the acupoint on the median line of the middle finger of the hand. Its branch diverges from Laogong in the palm, follows the lateral aspect of the index finger, extends three chi in length, and intersects with the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian. Therefore, the vessel of the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao originates at Guanchong (TE1) on the lateral aspect of the tip of the index finger.

Acupoint Song:
Nine acupoints of the Pericardium, Hand-Jueyin,
Tianchi, Tianquan, deep Quze.
Ximen, Jianshi, Neiguan depart,
Dalings, Laogong, Zhongchong approach.

Song of Pathogenic Changes and Diseases Generated:
This meridian has scarce Qi but abundant Blood. When pathogenic changes occur, diseases include heat in the palms, spasm and stiffness of the elbow and arm, swelling of the axilla; severely, there is fullness and binding in the chest and hypochondrium, palpitations or violent beating of the heart, excessive laughter, yellow eyes, and reddish complexion. Diseases generated by this meridian include vexation in the heart, heart pain, and heat in the palms.

*Lingshu*, Chapter 10 states: Pathogenic changes manifest as heat in the palms, spasm and stiffness of the arms and elbows, axillary swelling; severely, chest and hypochondriac fullness, violent palpitations, reddish face, yellow eyes, and incessant laughter. Diseases generated by the vessel include heart vexation, heart pain, and heat in the palms. For these conditions: excess is drained, deficiency is supplemented, heat is treated with rapid needle manipulation, cold is treated with retained needle manipulation, sinking Yang is treated with moxibustion, and neither excess nor deficiency is treated by selecting points from the affected meridian. In excess cases, the Cun Kou pulse is larger than the Ren Ying pulse by one degree; in deficiency cases, the Cun Kou pulse is smaller than the Ren Ying pulse.

Phonetic Explanation:
Jue (pronounced 'Jue' as per fanqie rule Ju-Yue).